Brownbelly leaf frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brownbelly leaf frog |
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Conservation status | |
Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Phyllomedusa
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Species: |
tarsius
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The brownbelly leaf frog or tarsier leaf frog (scientific name: Phyllomedusa tarsius) is a type of frog. It belongs to a group of frogs called Phyllomedusinae, which are known as leaf frogs.
These frogs live in several countries in South America. You can find them in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. They might also live in Bolivia and Guyana.
About the Brownbelly Leaf Frog
The brownbelly leaf frog gets its name from its brownish belly. It's a fascinating amphibian that spends a lot of its time in trees. Like all frogs, it starts its life as a tadpole in water before changing into an adult frog.
Where it Lives
This frog prefers to live in warm, wet places. Its natural homes are:
- Moist lowland forests in tropical or subtropical areas. These are forests that get a lot of rain and are not very high up.
- Swamps in tropical or subtropical regions. Swamps are wetlands with trees.
- Freshwater marshes that sometimes dry up. These are grassy wetlands with fresh water.
- Areas that used to be forests but have been changed a lot by people.
Why it's Important
The brownbelly leaf frog plays a role in its ecosystem. Frogs help control insect populations by eating them. They are also a food source for other animals.
Threats to the Frog
Sadly, the brownbelly leaf frog is facing a big problem: habitat loss. This means that the places where it lives are disappearing. People might be cutting down forests or draining swamps for farming, building, or other activities. When their homes are destroyed, these frogs have fewer places to live and find food, which makes it harder for them to survive.